A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday remanded an alleged transborder drug smuggler, Adediran Aliu Oluwaseun, in a correctional facility over alleged drug trafficking.

The defendant was accused of smuggling 25 kilogrammes of cocaine from Ghana into the country.

Justice Musa Kakaki remanded the 45-year-old after he pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge filed against him by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The agency, through its prosecutor, Abdullahi Buhari, informed the court that the defendant was arrested with the drugs on February 10, 2026, at Oloko in the Badagry area of Lagos.

Buhari told the court that the defendant allegedly conspired with one Biggy, who is currently at large, to commit the offence.

He further stated that the defendant used a green Toyota Highlander with registration number MUS 275 GW to smuggle the prohibited drugs from Ghana into Nigeria.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 14(a) and 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant pending trial.

He also moved a motion for the interim forfeiture of the Toyota Highlander allegedly used in committing the offence.

Counsel to the defendant, however, urged the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms, arguing that the defendant was only a driver.

The prosecutor opposed the application.

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki refused the bail application and remanded the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). He also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to June 22, 23 and 24 for trial and ordered the interim forfeiture of the vehicle allegedly used to convey the drugs.